A coyote is staring at me. Fortunately, it’s on the wall in my office, peering out from the January page of Missouri Conservation Department’s Natural Events Calendar. I wonder how many Missourians have seen a coyote face to face or caught a glimpse as it darts across a field or road. As furbearers, their winter pelts are pretty thick now so they appear bigger, bushier than in late summer. I’ve read stories in the newspaper about their boldness around people, but most of those are from California where they seem to be more common.

I know they’re all over Missouri, but I’ve felt lucky when I’ve seen them since they’re usually so wary here. One of our urban biologists near St. Louis noted that coyotes are the animals that generate the most questions/calls to our staff. People are unfamiliar with them and a little wary themselves—and unsure what to do when they see one in their backyards.

What impressions I had early on of them were not from reality, though, but from Wily Coyote cartoons, and from old Native American stories which called the coyote the “Trickster.” I didn’t realize firsthand, though, how truly clever they were until in my early career with the Conservation Department. We used to have young wild animals at our exhibit at the state fair (which was not a good idea for the longterm well being of the animals and would no longer be acceptable). But given that times were different 23 years ago, I ended up taking one of the coyotes “home” to release after the fair at our place in the country, hoping it could adapt to the wild. Although it eventually did make its way off into the fields and woods, at first it hung around our house. One day I saw the coyote approach one of our doors, put both paws on the round knob and try to turn it. I realized it had seen people doing this in the large walk-in exhibits cages at the fairs. (Fortunately the knob was too smooth and it didn’t get a good grasp!). Then a few days later  I was upstairs and suddenly heard water running somewhere. I ran downstairs and found the outdoor faucet gushing. And there stood the coyote. (That knob had ridges so gave a grip, I guess.) I turned it off, made sure there was a bowl of water outside from then on, and was lucky it didn’t happen again when I was off at work. I was relieved when it went back to the wild where it truly belonged.

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Even when called in close, coyotes are tough to kill with a shotgun. Stout loads are required.

“They’ve never been called on this ranch,” was the music-to-my-ears answer I got from the foreman of a ranch down in Old Mexico when I asked him about the local coyote population. Our primary mission there was to hunt Gould’s turkey, and since I had already bagged my gobbler, I was looking for something else to keep me busy for the next several days. It just so happened that I had brought along a mouth call that does a realistic job of imitating a terrified cottontail rabbit.

I had also brought along a supply of predator loads for my shotgun. When calling coyotes, I more often have a rifle in my hands, but since a rifle is not always available on shotgun hunts, I make sure my duffel bag contains something more potent than a load best suited for turkey, pheasant or quail. Twist my arm long enough and I’ll confess to the shotgun actually being more fun as a coyote gun because its limited range makes you wait until the incoming target is up close and personal before you can pull the trigger.

I don’t recall how many times we set up to call that day, but I do remember that at least one coyote came in on all except one setup. What really made it fun was that the fellow who was with me had never in his life called in coyotes. To say that he was beside himself with excitement is rather an understatement. One time a dog came in from behind us and was just about in our laps before we knew it was there. Another time I had a trio coming in together, loping along shoulder-to-shoulder across an open field.

“Wait until they are inside twenty yards, and take all three,” I whispered in my friend’s ear. But his first shot failed to drop the first one in its tracks, so while he was busy finishing the job he started, I bumped off the other two with a couple of shots from my pump gun.

The 12-gauge ammunition I used in Mexico was from Environ-Metal and called, appropriately enough, Dead Coyote. Loaded with No. T Hevi-Shot (about .20 caliber), the stuff works quite well for its intended purpose. The longest shot I attempted with it was just shy of fifty yards, and at that range I got complete broadside penetration with the dozen or so pellets that struck the shoulder/lung area of the coyote.

Nominal pellet counts for the three Environ-Metal loads are forty-two for the 23/4-inch shell, fifty for the 3-inch shell and fifty-four for the 31/2-inch shell. Remington’s new Wingmaster HD Predator load also contains T-size shot and is available in 3-inch and 31/2-inch loadings.

Choose the right load and lead shot is just as effective on coyotes as the nontoxic heavyweights and less expensive to boot. In my experience, BB (.18 caliber) is the smallest size to use, but larger shot sizes such as BBB (.19 caliber), T (.20 caliber) and No. 4 Buck (.24 caliber), with their higher energy levels, are better so long as pellet count and therefore pattern density is high enough to deliver multiple strikes to the relatively small vital area of a coyote out to forty yards or so. Getting a coyote in to forty yards, well, that’s a whole other story.

Calling coyotes into shotgun range takes attention to detail, from proper camouflage to stand location.

Choosing A Call:
Like other predators, the coyote can be brought into shooting range by imitating the distress calls of various small animals, and for obvious reasons you will have to coax them a bit closer when using a shotgun than when you’re using a rifle. I’ve used a C-3 Long Range Fox Call from Burnham Brothers for the past forty years, and it pulls coyotes in like a magnet by imitating the scream of a cottontail rabbit as it is being torn to pieces. During the past few months I’ve also been using with great success the new CompuCaller II, a digital call from the same company. I find my old mouth call to be just as effective at bringing in the yodel dogs, but I’ll have to admit the electronic caller does have its advantages. Pushing a button on a battery-powered remote controller is not as tiring as blowing a call for hours on end, and there’s the tactical edge as well. Like a turkey gobbler, a coyote is quite good at pinpointing the precise location of a call, and having the sound originate some distance away from the shooter is a definite advantage. Gary Roberson, owner of Burnham Brothers, recommends setting the caller fifty yards away when hunting with a rifle, and I find half that to be about ideal when using a shotgun. His unit has the best sound of any electronic caller I’ve ever used, and I’m sure the dozens of coyotes that have come to mine would agree if they were still around. You can see first-hand how effective it is by ordering the DVD “Eyes Front III.”

Getting The Shot:
Setting up to shotgun a coyote is a lot like setting up to call in a turkey gobbler, with one exception. Whereas a gobbler depends mostly on its excellent eyesight to keep it out of the roasting pan, the coyote has that plus a very sensitive nose that can sniff you out long before it’s within range. So, Rule No. 1 is to set up with the wind or breeze cooling your face as you look in the direction from which you expect a coyote to approach. Turkeys and coyotes are about even when it comes to detecting movement, but the eyes of a coyote are much more capable of separating the form of a hunter from his surroundings, even when that hunter is sitting absolutely motionless. This is why a camo pattern that makes you appear to be a natural part of the coyote’s home turf is so important.

By Layne Simpson

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A coyote is staring at me. Fortunately, it’s on the wall in my office, peering out from the January page of Missouri Conservation Department’s Natural Events Calendar. I wonder how many Missourians have seen a coyote face to face or caught a glimpse as it darts across a field or road. As furbearers, their winter pelts are pretty thick now so they appear bigger, bushier than in late summer. I’ve read stories in the newspaper about their boldness around people, but most of those are from California where they seem to be more common.

I know they’re all over Missouri, but I’ve felt lucky when I’ve seen them since they’re usually so wary here. One of our urban biologists near St. Louis noted that coyotes are the animals that generate the most questions/calls to our staff. People are unfamiliar with them and a little wary themselves—and unsure what to do when they see one in their backyards.

What impressions I had early on of them were not from reality, though, but from Wily Coyote cartoons, and from old Native American stories which called the coyote the “Trickster.” I didn’t realize firsthand, though, how truly clever they were until in my early career with the Conservation Department. We used to have young wild animals at our exhibit at the state fair (which was not a good idea for the longterm well being of the animals and would no longer be acceptable). But given that times were different 23 years ago, I ended up taking one of the coyotes “home” to release after the fair at our place in the country, hoping it could adapt to the wild. Although it eventually did make its way off into the fields and woods, at first it hung around our house. One day I saw the coyote approach one of our doors, put both paws on the round knob and try to turn it. I realized it had seen people doing this in the large walk-in exhibits cages at the fairs. (Fortunately the knob was too smooth and it didn’t get a good grasp!). Then a few days later  I was upstairs and suddenly heard water running somewhere. I ran downstairs and found the outdoor faucet gushing. And there stood the coyote. (That knob had ridges so gave a grip, I guess.) I turned it off, made sure there was a bowl of water outside from then on, and was lucky it didn’t happen again when I was off at work. I was relieved when it went back to the wild where it truly belonged.

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Prowling for Predators

The typical coyote has all the senses and wariness of a big whitetail buck and the stubbornness of an old gobbler.
Late winter is a prime time to head afield for furbearers. The weather is typically at, or just past it’s coldest, and the predator’s fur is at its thickest, richest point. It’s also just the time of year when the woods are the most barren and predators are most likely to respond for a meal.

Although prices for furs are good, there are other benefits for hunters. Chasing predators offers excellent experience, and that is something we can never have enough of. It’s another great way to sharpen your outdoor skills. The hunt normally requires skillful calling, good camouflage and sharp shooting skills. By practicing all this we will become better deer, turkey and waterfowl hunters. During the predator season hunters can amass a great deal of knowledge and observe how many animals react. Although hunting predators is truly exciting, rarely is it easy.

In modern society, the common furbearer has no true predator. Often the eco-system gets out of sync, allowing predators to deplete other game. Research has shown that decades of poor predator control (i.e. lack of hunting) have had an adverse affect on waterfowl and game bird populations. While it is true predators are not the sole reason for the decreasing numbers of ducks, geese, pheasant and quail, they are major factors. Therefore, widespread sport hunting of predators will likely have beneficial results on game species such as waterfowl and upland birds.

Rarely does a hunter encounter a quarry as challenging as he does when pursuing coyotes, fox or bobcats. The typical coyote has all the senses and wariness of a big whitetail buck and the stubbornness of an old gobbler. Seldom does a mature coyote come right into the calling location.  Normally they’ll circle “downwind” and approach when their nose gives them the “all clear.”

For these reasons, it’s best to treat these game animals with respect. Choose your hunting location carefully. Setup where you have good visibility and cover. Train your eyes down wind, but focus on the ditches, tree lines and other terrain features that might conceal a predator’s approach. Look for the slightest movement, all the while remaining as still as possible.

Normally I locate my predator hunting locations while afield for other game. When I notice canine tracks, stool or other, I make a note to return later. Often the best deer or turkey stand will offer excellent opportunities for a predator.

Unlike most game, predators don’t require a lot of specialized equipment. Full camo is necessary, as is a call and firearm but that is where it ends. Hunters can give this exciting pursuit a try simply by investing in a ten-dollar call, and utilizing the gear they have for deer, turkey, or waterfowl hunting.

Calls come in all different varieties. Hand-blown mouth calls are common and very effective. Currently there are several varieties. Close range calls are typically a “squeaky” call designed to coax in the predator for the shot. The most common hand call is the mid-range rabbit-type call. When blown, this call produces a raspy scream or whine, imitating an injured rabbit. There are many excellent choices to choose from, since most models have been around for decades and are proven performers.

Another unique type of call is a “howler” type call.  Normally one utilizes a “howler” call to locate coyotes. The call produces a bark or howl, which imitates a singing coyote and often causes others to sound off. By far the mid range rabbit call is the most versatile of all and will produce excellent results allowing the hunter to be successful with just one call.

Although one can get started without much investment, to be consistently successful it helps to utilize additional tools. A high quality pair of binoculars can be a blessing. I prefer a set of Burris Landmark 8×42 field glasses that allow me to distinguish a coyote from scrub brush at several hundred yards. Good optics allows the hunter to closely inspect the shady areas where predators like to approach from. Binoculars also prevent the extra movement caused when a hunter uses a riflescope to identify objects.

Remember, keep movement to a minimum, and peering through binos is much less visible than scanning the horizon with a scoped rifle.

Wide-open country often requires additional volume. The simple hand call is not nearly as loud or effective as an electronic calling device. The electronic caller such as those manufactured by FoxPro allows the hunter to increase the calling volume, thus also increasing the range of the call as well. Additionally, the electric devices allow the hunter to set up in a location offering excellent visibility, yet place the calling device in another location away from him. Moving the caller away from the hunter is a great trick since the coyote will pinpoint the sound and head directly to that location which gives the hunter a better opportunity for a shot. Pick a spot with good vision in all directions, but be sure to use good camo and keep movement to a minimum. This is an effective method for hunting the seasoned coyote or bobcat that typically busts the hunter before a shot presents itself.

Only the terrain dictates the choice of firearm. Turkey and waterfowl hunters shouldn’t despair if they don’t own an adequate rifle. Shotguns can be just as effective as rifles given the proper location. When choosing a shotgun, I prefer to hunt areas with thicker cover where fifty-yard shots are the maximum. This is a great time to get out those old lead goose loads that might be gathering dust on the shelf. Fox and bobcats are no match for a load of #2 or #4 shot and BB shot is perfect for stopping the largest coyotes around. Be sure to pattern your shotgun to ensure lethal hits, and establish a maximum range.

Any centerfire rifle can be used to take predators. The biggest consideration is pelt damage caused by the larger calibers. I prefer a center fire .22, .24 or .25 caliber rifle for most hunts. Typically, I carry a bolt action .243 Winchester for the versatility it offers. This caliber is extremely flat shooting with high velocity and is available with lightweight bullets that don’t do a lot of damage to the fur. I mount a quality scope such as a 3×9 Burris on top, and it’s ready to go. Hunters can get lots of invaluable practice with their deer rifles if they don’t own a small caliber rifle. The additional practice with that rifle will obviously help them become more proficient when taking shots next deer season.

The hours of sunrise and sunset are the best times to call in a predator. Remember that most coyotes, fox and cats are nocturnal, so hunting during mid-day can produce, but is not the best. Practice approaching your stand without making any unnecessary noise. Slamming truck doors, breaking limbs, causing fences or gates to squeak merely alerts the predator to your presence.

Use stealth when hunting these cunning critters. Coyotes and bobcats can be extremely cautious, so ensure your clothing and body doesn’t emit any foul odors. A facemask such as those used by turkey hunters helps avoid the shine reflected by a hunter’s face or eyeglasses. When the predator is approaching keep all movement and noise to a minimum. A seasoned coyote, fox, or cat will spook easier than an approaching gobbler. Never underestimate their sense of smell, hearing, or their great sight. Occasionally they will come in on the run, but a sly predator can just as easily leave on the run and offer the hunter no opportunity for a shot. Remember that these animals are actually hunting you.

As you can see predators offer a great challenge to anyone. Calling and hunting these wary animals will keep your skills sharp and your interest high. Don’t let one or two uneventful trips cause you to quit. Predators are always on the move. Often one area will be the “hot spot” and contain several predators on any given day. Some days can be extremely rewarding while others frustrating. Yet the challenge of hunting these “hunters” is a great one indeed.  Give predator hunting a try.

written by Tom Cannon

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National Coyote Calling Champions Al Morris and Steve Collins share their secret tactics for predator hunting success.
During the winter, most hunters become restless. The fall hunting seasons are over, the deer are in the freezer, and spring is a few months away. Most of us sit in front of the TV watching hunting shows to get our fix when we could be out chasing coyotes or other predators. Coyote populations have exploded, and they’re almost as common as raccoons. Many of them raid garbage cans and live on the outskirts of housing developments, in the woods and on farms all across the country. Coyotes can be hunted throughout the winter months, and hunters all over the country are realizing how enjoyable predator hunting can be.

Predator hunting is fun to do during the off season. It also benefits deer, turkey and other animals that share the woods with coyotes, coons and foxes. Predators take their fair share of deer, turkey and upland game each year. Since fur prices have been down for a number of years, few of these predators are trapped or hunted, which allows them to grow in large numbers. Predator hunting is a great way to thin out predators in your area and have fun when nothing else is going on in the outdoors.

Coyotes are similar to domesticated dogs. They are smart, learn quickly and can become very wary and call shy. Yet every winter, a few guys seem to bag their fair share of predators because they know how to play the calling game. One guy who knows that game better than most is Steve Collins. Collins has spent a lifetime chasing coyotes all over the country. In 1991, Collins won the National Coyote Calling Championship, so saying he knows how to call coyotes is an understatement. If you’re interested in learning how to bag a few yodel dogs this winter, pay attention as Collins shares his secrets for success. I also interviewed Al Morris of Hunters Specialties who is also a National Coyote Calling Champion and has a wealth of knowledge to share.

Collins has spent many years calling coyotes. He admits that calling in coyotes, especially in the Eastern United States, is a lot harder than it used to be. “Just think how much your dog can learn from a simple pat on the head. The coyotes’ survival depends on knowing how to avoid being killed. In other words, the stakes are high. They have become good at knowing when a hunter is calling and when it is a real rabbit in the brush squealing. I have learned that you only get one chance to call coyotes in. If you don’t harvest them the first time around, they won’t be called in a second time,” Collins explained. The first mistake most hunters make, according to Collins, is overcalling. “I usually stop calling when a dog is about a hundred yards away and let him come find me. If you keep calling, chances are the dog will pinpoint your location, notice you moving and bust you before you have a chance to shoot. Try to limit the amount of calling you do. Do just enough calling to keep the coyotes’ interest up. If he is hungry, he will come and investigate,” Collins added.
National Coyote Calling Champion Steve Collins with a coyote and a bobcat.
Collins said that another mistake many hunters make is not paying close attention to the wind. A dog has an extremely good sense of smell and coyotes that have been hunted hard with calls will often approach a setup downwind. “I always try to work the wind when hunting; however, smart coyotes will work the wind most of the time. I have heard of a lot of hunters using Scent-Lok clothing or scent eliminating sprays like Scent Killer to reduce human odor. I usually hunt with the wind in my face or with a cross wind and try to call them straight in. During the dead of winter when they have gone a few days without a meal, they are more apt to come in running and not pay attention to the wind. This is the best time to hunt. As a rule of thumb, I always hunt the wind,” Collins said.

When Collins started predator hunting, there was not a large selection of calls on the market for predator hunting. He usually used mouth calls of some type that imitated a dying rabbit. “Your success often depended on your ability as a caller. Today there are a wide variety of electronic callers on the market, which makes the calling process easy,” Collins explained. In recent years, companies like Extreme Dimensions have introduced calls that allow you to make two sounds at once, which makes your setup sound more realistic. “Digital callers allow novice hunters to sound like a pro the first time in the woods. Now a guy can sound like a dying rabbit thrashing around in the brush instead of just a dying rabbit, or he can sound like a pack of coyotes howling and something dying at the same time. The more realistic your setup, the better chance you have at calling in animals.

Collins said if you are going to try to call in coyotes using howls and barks, you better know when to use each call. “Back when I started using coyote calls, very few people were using barks and howls to call in dogs. I learned through the school of hard knocks when to use each howl or bark. If you are trying to challenge another coyote by barking at him, you better know the difference between the different types of howls and barks. When you are speaking their language, you can’t make mistakes. A mistake means an educated coyote won’t be called in again. Using the right call at the right time equals a dog in the freezer,” Collins explained.

Since coyotes adjust to hunting pressure so quickly, the pros are always looking for a new tactic to bag predators. Al Morris from Hunters Specialties says one of his favorite tactics is hunting coyotes in the brush. “Most hunters enjoy using a long distance rifle and hunting in big open fields, which is something I enjoy as well. In recent years, I have had more success hunting coyotes in thick cover,” Morris said. Morris usually uses a shotgun when hunting in the brush and says he has learned that dogs often run right in because they are not accustomed to having hunting pressure in thick cover. “When they hear a mouse squeak in the brush, most of the time they come on a dead run. When hunting this way, you need to be alert at all times because the dogs often appear out of nowhere. My average shot is 15-30 yards. I enjoy hunting open country, but I enjoy hunting the thick stuff because when I am competing in a contest, I need pelts in the freezer. Hunting in the brush usually produces more coyotes,” Morris explained.

Another tactic that seems to increase hunters’ odds is using decoys. According to Collins, decoys are a great way to sucker critters within range. “I have not used decoys a lot, but a few of my friends have had great luck with them. When a coyote sees a rabbit or some type of animal thrashing around, they forget about the wind or any other danger and come on a dead run. Now that electronic callers with wireless speakers are available, hunters can place a speaker next to the decoy so when they come in the sound is coming from the decoy, which creates a more realistic setup and often brings the coyotes in on a string,” Collins added.

Collins and Morris believe the easiest way to bag a lot of predators is by finding areas that are overlooked by other hunters. In some cases, that might mean you hunt behind a housing development or hike five miles into the middle of a swamp. Both hunters agree you only get one chance at a coyote. “I remember a few years ago, I was hunting in some cattails on the edge of a frozen lake. I started calling and a bunch of coyotes came running in. A few of them stayed back and even took off after seeing the setup. I am convinced that was the group of coyotes we had called in the year before from the same setup. They remembered what happened the previous year. Coyotes have a great memory. So when you get a shot, you better take it,” Collins stated.

Predator hunting is like deer hunting or turkey hunting. If you want to be successful, you need to invest some time and money in the sport. You will need to practice on your calling, purchase a few mouth calls or a digital caller, and do a little research. Once you have the craft of calling predators down, predator hunting may end up becoming one of your favorite styles of hunting. Nothing compares to watching a hungry coyote sneak in on your setup. In addition to taking out a few predators, you will put a fresh pelt in your freezer and save the lives of a few deer and upland birds.

written by Tracy Breen

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The habits of coyotes are far different than most folklore associated with them.
The coyote holds a reputation across all stretches of rural America.  It’s known as a smart, crafty and sometimes destructive creature capable of survival in the roughest conditions.  More recently, it’s gaining fame as a well-adapted urban menace. Some say they’re the most intellectual predator around, although no one will deny how resilient they are.

Almost every conversation concerning the coyote is centered on topics of what it stalks and eats.  These canines define the word opportunistic better than Webster.  With no preference for what they put in their belly, they seem best suited to hunt with keen senses of their ears, eyes and noses to pluck any available meal.  Of course, abundant critters such as rabbits and mice are the most common to fall prey to any famished coyote. They never pass up a meal, dead or alive.  Carrion is a regular part of their diet.  Coyotes have even made the connection between circling vultures and easy meals. Surprisingly, fruit and vegetables make the menu. According to Mike Pledger, Arkansas Game and Fish furbearer biologist, “Coyotes are classified as a carnivore, but they will eat most anything. They relish light fruits in season and consume a lot more vegetable matter than most people realize.”Although coyotes are not overly large, weighing anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds and up to 5 feet in length, nose to tail, they are formidable predators.  Excellent agility and endurance allow them to outrun their quarry.  Most of the time, flush and capture is the style of hunting, unless they are pouncing rodents with their front paws. Healthy, grown livestock are safe; defeating the old folklore that ravaging packs of coyotes take down farmer’s animals.  Pledger also reports, “Most of my investigations on large livestock depredation reveals dogs are at fault.”Weak, wounded and young livestock are still only at a moderate risk. The hunting skills of coyotes are better suited to capturing small game. Newborn deer are occasionally eaten, but according to Pledger, “Coyotes have no measurable impact on the deer population, even in areas with heavy coyote densities.”

Most coyotes live and hunt within a home range.  The size is defined by how much food is available and time of year. A home range can vary from 1 to 6 square miles.  Howling, urinating and defecating are all used to mark territory.  Often, different mating pairs will have overlapping ranges, but during pup rearing the territory will be defended.

Coyote pups are basically helpless at birth and rely on thier mother’s care for several months.
Pups are usually conceived between January and March.  The gestation period is about 9 weeks. Females will berth up to 17 pups, although the normal number is around six. In areas of heavy coyote mortality the females typically raise larger litters. The female seldom digs the den, typically it’s the den of another animal enlarged to accommodate the family. After 6 weeks the den is abandoned.  From this point the pups and their mother sleep in sheltered areas above ground.  The father supplies most of the food while the mother oversees the young.  The young will develop a range through the summer and by fall sustain themselves.  The survival rate of the puppies is lower than you might expect.  It’s common for only 20 percent of all pups to survive to adulthood.

The most concern coyotes have received recent years are their encroachment into urban areas. The so-called urban-menace coyote is gaining fame for causing trouble in the back yard instead of the traditional back 40. Pledger commented on the recent anxiety by saying, “The coyote is usually only guilty of being seen.  People in a town don’t expect to witness a wild animal any larger than a squirrel or a rabbit.  When folks see something like a coyote or realize it lives in close proximity they freak out. They start fearing for their lives and the safety of children playing in the yard. And I’m not aware of there ever being an attack in Arkansas.”Reports have surfaced claiming coyotes are doing so well in towns and cites that their numbers are superceding that of rural coyotes. Pledger rejects these claims by saying, “The truth is towns can’t support a very large resident coyote population. There are a few that adapt, but the limiting factor is vehicles (death by collision).”

After all the myth of and superstition of the coyote is removed, a rather interesting creature remains.  When almost every other predator has disappeared in the presence of man, this canine has flourished. Its range is far greater now than before humans settled the continent. Proving itself as a resourceful and clever animal.

written by JT Uptegrove

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Coyote

Coyotes are quick learners with long memories. Be ready before you begin sounding like a meal. You never know where a coyote will come from. Select a site where you can move slightly and shoot across a lot of turf.
Coyotes that will charge in eagerly to investigate a dying-rabbit call are becoming increasingly hard to find. If you like to hunt and kill coyotes today, you’ll need to up your offerings, enthusiasm and standards when calling and attracting modern song dogs. Luckily, hunters are finding new methods and sounds to take on this old pest, which has spread from coast to coast in North America.

Coyotes are quick learners and top students in the study of hunters — and their tactics. In areas where sluggish hunters have walked a few yards from the truck and then blown a rabbit-in-distress call relentlessly, coyotes will run away or pause at great distances to study the situation before coming near. To become more deadly, you’ll need to plan an approach and call with a new song.

First and foremost, be silent, by parking and walking a good distance from your vehicle before calling or setting up to hunt. Also, turn off the radio and do not slam vehicle doors as you prepare to leave your vehicle behind. Keep conversation with hunting partners to a minimum, and reduce or prevent noises that announce to the wild world that a hunter has entered the woods. Sounds carry a long distance on a crisp morning or evening, and any coyote that faintly hears a hunter will be on the move — away from your location. When you loose the element of surprise, you’re simply wasting your time, while also making local coyotes harder to hunt.

Before you call, pick a place to sit or kneel near cover. Hungry coyotes during winter and spring seasons can come with great enthusiasm when they hear an inviting meal. You’ll need to be ready with little movement, or your plan will be revealed. And remember, coyotes are quick learners with long memories. Be ready before you begin sounding like a meal.

Coyote Hunter

Coyotes are well known for eating a wide assortment of foods from mice to watermelons. It’s the noisy foods that coyotes hear and pursue — and that hunters want to imitate. And nearly any small rodent, bird or animal can catch a coyote’s attention and bring it in to investigate. It’s the over-used rabbit-in-distress call, however, that many coyotes seem to avoid these days. Select and use an animal sound that’s not so associated with hunters.

Mouse squeaks, a nearby call in most situations, can bring in local coyotes that you’ve silently slipped in on. Mouse squeaks can be heard from a long distance on a still, calm morning. This minute sound is not the best choice, however, in a howling wind.

In recent hunting times, woodpeckers, the fussy song of a songbird, the boisterous caw of a crow, the call of a quail, and howling house cats have been used to entice a coyote into revealing itself. There are several sources for mouth-blown bird calls.

Recently released electronic callers are more user-friendly, and louder, than previous models. These calls have also opened up opportunities to use the common rural and farm sounds that coyotes often associate with easy meals, like chickens and sheep. The list of these calls seems to be growing rapidly, and there is a good chance that any coyote that has not been over exposed to a new call on the market will come to investigate. Today’s super-loud electronic calls also offer some new calling options. If you are so inclined and have the technology, you can record common barnyard sounds of piglets, calves and other species and play these afield when hunting. In farmland areas, the sounds are common, and coyotes in many areas have become more brazen about trying to take down young livestock. Use this to your hunting advantage.

Another call that hunters have predominately used to attract coyotes in the spring also works during the rest of the year-the call of nearly anything that talks wild turkey. I’ve had coyotes come in search of many basic box calls that sang “I’m a tasty turkey over here.” A long sequence of non-stop turkey squawking, cackling and fussing will bring any hungry coyote within ear shot running into your lap. And the good news is that many turkey calls are loud, so you should be heard with little effort.

Coyote and Electronic Caller

Today’s super-loud electronic callers offer modern coyote hunters many new calling options.
Thinking beyond food sources when calling song dogs can also produce action. Coyotes are more inclined to be sociable in the winter because it’s the breeding season. Any pup whine, excited howl or simple hello “yip” that sounds like a coyote could sound like an invitation to get together. And the good news is that non-aggressive coyote howls from a mouth blown call can carry a long distance in the dead calm of winter, so you can cover a lot of ground vocally and save your energy for dragging a dead coyote back to the truck. Just be certain to stay seated for at least 30 minutes after you cease calling to give the coyote time to reach you when using long-range calls. Many impatient hunters have stood up just as a coyote has come loping around a nearby bush.

Glass ‘Em Up

Coyotes have keen eyesight and hearing. You need to be silent when moving and hunting to avoid being spotted. Spend hours glassing and peeking over ridge tops, much like you do when hunting mule deer and pronghorns, and move without being silhouetted on the sky line. Sooner or later you’ll spot a coyote trotting up a valley or poking around in a distant pasture, and then it’s only a matter of sneaking within range and releasing an accurate bullet.

Other hunters who use this spot-and-stalk method in the winter — when coyotes are always very hungry or searching for love — park their trucks along the edges of sprawling agricultural fields and then anchor a spotting scope atop a downed window. A better bet that’s easier on the eyes is to use a high-power binocular on the mount; binoculars cause less eye strain and the resulting headache. Binoculars also help wipe out some of the annoying rocking that’s often noticed as your truck sways in winter winds.

While dawn and dusk are always good times to seek and find coyotes out and prowling, they can generally be spotted any time of day during the winter months, especially on warm, sunny afternoons. During winter, coyotes also roam far and wide in search of road-killed deer, hunter tossed gut piles and even winter-weakened deer. If you can find the time to go hunting, get out there during the cold days of winter. You’ll find it’s easier to see and call great distances, and the coyotes are more cooperative, too.

written by Michael D. Faw

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Some people just can’t get enough hunting each year. I’m one of them. Thank goodness for coyotes!

Camouflage

Camouflage or concealment is, in my eyes, even more important than the type of rifle you shoot. Coyotes depend on their eyes and noses for hunting as well as survival. Go unprepared to fool both, and you’ll be one frustrated hunter. Once on a private, or open public land, you’ll want to find an elevated calling location that provides a sweeping view of the surrounding area. Take particular care that the upwind side provides access for approaching coyotes. Look for brush, weeds, downed logs or trees that can help you hide while at the same time providing a solid shooting spot. The object here is to have your scent blow away from where you expect the coyotes to approach, and the cover will help hide movements you make in calling and preparing to shoot.

Howler

A good howler is used much like a locator turkey call. A “greet” howl — two or three short barks followed by a howl up to three seconds in duration — tells coyotes in the area where you are and invites them to come check you out. Once a coyote responds, I like to sit still for a few minutes, and then start hitting some type of distress call or challenge howling.

Distress Call

The distress call is just that: an imitation of an injured small animal. This should be your ace in the hole call; how it sounds to an approaching coyote makes all the difference in your success. A rabbit caught in a fence or wounded from the talons of a hawk makes lots of high-pitched and ear-piercing noise. But the important thing to remember is, your lungs are much larger than a rabbit’s. It doesn’t make sense to give long, wailing appeals. More realistic are loud, short blasts. Instead of making a noise like “Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,” try making it sound more like this: “Waaaaaaa, waaaaaaaa, waaaaaaa.”

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